ATTRACTIONS

Along with the spectacular sunsets, Captain's Cove is the perfect setting to enjoy the day's memories and plan tomorrow's adventures.

Hearst Castle:
Surrounded by roughly 250,000 acres of mostly undeveloped coastal and mountain terrain, Hearst Castle is truly an amazing site. With its 56 bedrooms, 61 bathrooms, and estate total 90,080 square feet, Hearst Castle is one of the largest "homes" ever build in the United States. Now a California State Park, Hearst Castle, perched at the top of a mountain overlooking the Pacific Ocean, is open to the public through a variety of daily tours. Take a tour, watch the "Hearst Castle – Building the Dream" movie in the National Geographic Theater, browse the Visitor Center, and keep an eye out for Hearst's exotic game roaming the vast acreage for an enjoyable day.

San Simeon:
While at Hearst Castle, be sure to stop by Old San Simeon and the San Simeon pier. Sebastian's General Store was built here in 1852 and is now a state historical landmark. Across from it, you will find the San Simeon Pier, which was used by William Randolph Hearst to unload from the ships the building materials, furniture, and of course, his world-class art collection now resident at Hearst Castle. Today, San Simeon provides a beautiful white sand beach perfect for a picnic or family outing.

Wine Tasting: The California Central Coast has made a name for itself as a wine producing region. Many wineries are located in the valleys just inland from Cambria. For those interested in wine tasting, there are numerous wineries and wine tasting rooms in Cambria. Or, you can visit the heart of the wine country in Paso Robles, a beautiful 20 minute country drive away. Visit the Cambria Chamber of Commerce site for more info on local wine tasting. Cambria also hosts an Art & Wine Festival, usually in January. Please visit www.seecambria.com for more information.

Elephant Seals: If you have never seen a 5,000-pound animal bathing on the beach, now is your chance. There are only a few places in the world where elephant seals live and even fewer places where elephant seals are accessible to the public.
Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery is a spectacle that must be seen. Hundreds of elephant seals lined up on the beach, basking in the midday sun, are a wonder of nature that you won't soon forget.
Approximately 5.5 miles north of San Simeon on the ocean side of Highway One, is Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal vista point. Visitors can park and learn all about these magnificent creatures through educational and interpretive signs, by viewing the animals at close quarters, and through volunteer guides who, after graduating from Elephant Seal School, are able to help visitors understand these magnificent marine mammals.

Elephant Seal Calendar

January

Females are arriving and giving birth. Elephant seal births peak during the last half of January.

The last adults leave, and weaned pups can be seen teaching themselves to swim.

April

Females and juveniles return to the beach to molt.

May

Females and juveniles are around.

June

Sub-adult males return to molt.

July

Sub-adult and adult males can be seen.

August

Last of the males are molting.

September

Young-of-the-year and juveniles can be seen on the beach.

October

Young-of-the-year and juveniles can be seen on the beach.

November

Sub-adult males can be seen on the beach. Toward the end of the month mature males begin arriving.

December

Bulls continue to return. Females begin to arrive, and the first birth is usually around the middle of the month.

Lighthouse at Piedras Blancas: Just north of San Simeon and adjacent to the elephant seal colony, Piedras Blancas lighthouse was one of the very few lighthouses built along the California Coast. Completed in 1875, this location was chosen to fill the gap between the lighthouses at Point Conception and Point Sur. A two-story Victorian style dwelling was also built on the site. The point was named for a white rock out cropping located just off the end of the point. The original tower was 115 feet tall and housed a first-order Fresnel lens. A fog signal building and an additional keepers dwelling were added in 1906. The lighthouse was operated by the US Lighthouse Service until 1939, when the Coast Guard assumed command. Structural damage to the tower and new technology eventually replaced many of the functions of the lightkeepers as they became automated. The Coast Guard relinquished control and management to the Bureau of Land Management in 2001. Restoration and stabilization efforts are planned. Tour reservations can be made by calling (805) 927-6811.

Cayucos: The delightful beach town of Cayucos is approximately 13 miles south of Cambria on Highway One and is considered by many as one of the few remaining classic California beach towns. It is a California original. Born during the days of Spanish land grants, Cayucos grew up with sailing ships and steamers, rumrunners and revenuers. Gamblers and seafarers met in the Old Cayucos Tavern, and adventurers and romantics of all kinds still meet there today. A wide stretch of sandy beach, distinctive pier, eclectic shops, and fine dining make Cayucos a perfect day-trip from Cambria. Don't forget your surfboard!

The Murals of Cayucos:The Cayucos Mural Society was founded in 1992 to support the painting of high-quality murals covering historical and environmental topics that characterize Cayucos. These impressive murals can be found on walls dedicated by merchants and private citizens around town. Several artists have contributed their talents and have created a collage of color throughout Cayucos, bringing enhancement to the town and increasing awareness of public art.

For the comfort of our non-smoking guests, smoking is allowed outside only. We look forward to your stay with us!